Interoperable data models for infrastructural artefacts – a novel IFC extension method using RDF vocabularies exemplified with quay wall structures for harbors

Abstract

Currently, only a limited number of dedicated data models for infrastructural artefacts exist. To cover information exchange and interoperability requirements, a number of international initiatives have been started under the umbrella of the buildingSMART organization to extend the predominant IFC model. In this paper, we are introducing a light-weight approach that allows the flexible extension of the IFC model with RDF vocabularies and ontologies. Using real-world quay wall models from the port of Rotterdam we show how information from multiple networked data sources can be seamlessly integrated with IFC models as the main carrier of geometric representation. We demonstrate how these semantically enriched models can be used with unmodified legacy software systems to facilitate a number of interoperability scenarios throughout different lifecycle phases.

Development of a Conceptual Mapping Standard to Link Building and Geospatial Information

“…Ontological modeling [2][3][4][5][6] For the integration of the BIM and GIS heterogeneous models, the ontological modeling technique is used. The RDF-based integrated model has the strength of expressing inter-object relationships.…”

“…Previous studies related to BIM-GIS integration often suggest the development of integrated models needed for specific usecases. This approach fixes the integration method or part of the integration process for the realization of a specific use case, such as an information query method using an ontology model [2][3][4][5][6], a web-service-based model for integration system development [7,8], data transformation methods using commercial tools [9][10][11][12], and a model schema development method [13][14][15][16][17]. These references will be examined in more detail through a literature review.…”

“…A method was proposed by which, after the extraction of IFC and GIS information, an RDF (resource description framework) model was created to ask questions [2]. In addition, a study was conducted to propose a method by which, after defining an RDF dictionary about the IFC wall structure, information is requested through SPARQL, and the results are expressed [3]. To apply this method, the components of the heterogeneous model composition should be converted to a triple structure.…”

RDF-based signature algorithms for computing differences of IFC models

“…In the IFC-to-RDF conversion of [8] and [14], the line numbers of IFC-SPF are used to derive IRIs for each IFC object. This approach avoids blank nodes in a "fake" manner by producing non-identifying identifiers.…”

“…In each of the triples the IFC entity maps to the subject field, one attribute of the entity to the predicate field, and the attribute value to the object field [8]. The identifiers need to be mapped from GUIDs into IRIs (internationalized resource identifiers) [9], anonymous objects into blank nodes, the values into suitable XSD datatypes [10] used by RDF, and the names of types and attributes into corresponding ontology classes and properties.…”